Editorial: Casta&ntilde;eda term seems to advocate discord

He tells constituents in his Salinas City Council district and in the Alisal Union School District that he is looking out for their interests, working as their advocate, trying to solve their problems.

But since being elected to the council, while simultaneously serving on the Alisal school board, he has spent so much time trying to provoke others and scowling from the sidelines that he hasn't had much opportunity to do what he was elected to do.

It might be strategic. Perhaps he is trying to build a reputation as a tough guy, an activist, a militant taking on the system on behalf of the people. But unless and until he can build a council majority of like-minded representatives, his posturing and demonizing won't amount to much.

He has refused to give up one of his seats in the face of legal opinions suggesting he should. He has chastised anyone who disagrees with him and led the naming of a Salinas school after a controversial bandido from the 1800s. Taken together, it suggests he is seeking discord. Perhaps he is trying to mobilize Latino voters. Maybe he just likes to be the center of attention. He has said so little publicly about any of his skirmishes that it's hard to know what's on his mind. But he does seem to see advantage in weakening relations between Latinos and Anglos in Salinas.

There are legitimate reasons to name a school after Tiburcio Vasquez, a romantic figure who robbed banks and foiled California posses. Many Latinos see him as a hero, someone who stood up to the white establishment. But, fairly or not, he was convicted of killing a constable, which makes him a cop killer in the eyes of others and makes the naming of the school an affront to law enforcement.

Castañeda and others knew the naming would create controversy and acrimony. Placed in the proper context, it could have been turned into a lesson for the community, a lesson about how one event can be interpreted very differently from different perspectives. But that's not what happened because understanding was not the intent. The purpose was to divide, to get people yelling.

There are plenty of other important Latino figures to name schools after.

As the Salinas council starts exploring the legalities of Castañeda serving in two elected positions, he will portray himself as a victim. Will he play the race card? Maybe not openly. Will the process result in anything of value? Nothing springs to mind.

There is a place in politics for stubborn people like Castañeda. Castañeda understands the system does not treat everyone fairly. He has seen injustices and we fully encourage him to bring them to light and to fight for remedies. But, so far, he only seems to be fighting for himself, throwing wild punches in the process.